Monthly Archives: April 2017

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. In some cases the body creates too much uric acid, and in other cases the body does not get rid of uric acid properly. The uric acid forms into crystals, which collect in the joints and cause pain and swelling. Gout tends to flare up periodically. The frequency, severity, and duration of flare ups can increase over time if uric acid levels are not carefully regulated. There are many factors that contribute to gout, including age, family medical history, physical fitness, and even diet.

While there are certain foods to avoid with gout, this problem is not explicitly caused by foods. In fact, only about one-third of the uric acid in the body comes from the foods you eat. Foods rich in purines do contribute to and trigger gout symptoms, though, so there are definitely foods to avoid with gout.

When it comes to foods to avoid with gout, certain meat products rank high on the list. Organ meats are very high in purine, especially liver, kidney, and brain. Beef, pork, and lamb are also purine rich foods. You should also avoid gravies that are meat based. Some fish and shellfish are also foods to avoid with gout, though some are far worse than others. Examples of seafood with higher purine levels include anchovies, sardines, mussels, scallops, and trout.

There are some surprising foods to avoid with gout, though. Spinach, asparagus, cauliflower, and mushrooms are all on the list. Oatmeal, peas, dried beans, and lentils are also included in foods to avoid with gout.

Liquor, another a liquid, is also on the list of foods to avoid with gout. Limited alcohol intake may be acceptable, so long as it does not cause a flare up. If this happens, then liquor should be avoided entirely. It is highly recommended that beer be avoided entirely. Beverages containing a lot of high fructose corn syrup are on the list of foods to avoid with gout. This includes most carbonated beverages and fruit flavored drinks.

Other major foods to avoid with gout are junk foods. These items are sugary and fatty. Junk food is also fattening. Physical fitness is an important way to combat gout, so of course weight gain is a bad idea.

Remember that no matter how many foods to avoid with gout you refrain from eating, this lifestyle choice may still not eliminate the problems. It can definitely help with gout, though.

Most people experience brief periods of unhappiness or sadness at some point in their life. However, when these feelings intensify over time depression may be the cause. Learning to recognize depression symptoms is an essential part of learning to live with this condition.

While depression symptoms can vary with each individual, there are some symptoms common to the condition. Many people are able to manage these symptoms and go on with daily life. However, some people become overwhelmed with these feelings and need to seek treatment. People who find they are unable to control their feelings of hopelessness could be battling depression. Other depression symptoms include changes in sleep patterns, increased alcohol use, appetite changes, weight loss, irritability, aggression and helplessness.

Many people have depression symptoms that are less severe but are still problematic. Some people find it difficult to enjoy their favorite activities or may not be able to concentrate on tasks for long periods of time. Energy levels may also plummet in those with depressive conditions. Sluggishness is a common problem in people who struggle with this condition. Depression may also cause physical symptoms such as aching joints, increased pain, stomach pain and severe headaches.

Most people who have depressive conditions respond well on their own or with medical treatment. However, some people have difficulty recovering from depression and are at an increased risk for suicide. Depression symptoms can lead to feelings of extreme helplessness that makes rational thinking difficult. Some signs depression is worsening to the point of suicide include unusual preoccupation with death, verbalizing the desire to kill oneself, reckless behavior and getting financial affairs in order.

Depression symptoms are often different in men and women. Men are often reluctant to admit to feelings of hopelessness and are more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol as a result of this condition. Older men are at an increased risk of suicide when depressed. However, women are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression and anxiety. Rapidly changing hormones after pregnancy or menopause may cause depression symptoms to appear. Teenagers can also experience depression symptoms as well as adults. It is often difficult to tell when teenagers are struggling to cope with daily life. Some teens are grouchy, lose their temper easily or exhibit hostile behavior. Others may become withdrawn and abuse substances such as alcohol. Untreated depression in teenagers can lead to acts of homicide or suicide.

Depression is a serious condition but there are treatments and medications available that can help manage it. Having the support of family and friends is also key to reducing depression symptoms. Mental health professionals can teach skills that can help people learn to manage depression symptoms which is the first step to leading a normal and happy life.

There are myriad heartburn home remedies that people use to quench the fire. Sometimes heartburn home remedies are needed due to overindulgence. Sometimes it seems as if the burn is just passed down from one family member to the next. It is imperative to see a doctor for chronic heartburn to rule out serious health conditions such as ulcers, structural issues with the esophagus and esophageal cancer.

Water

Of all the heartburn home remedies, water is at the top of the list. The trick is to avoid juices and sodas as well as coffee and tea. Various ingredients of our daily drinks, especially caffeine, are known heartburn triggers. Opting for water at meals and drinking copious amounts throughout the day has helped many, keeping it at the top of the list for heartburn home remedies.

Honey

Many are convinced that real honey is the best of the heartburn home remedies. This may be due to the antibacterial properties of honey. Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria that can exist in the gut and get out of control. It can cause different disease conditions requiring someone to seek out heartburn home remedies for relief.

The problem with honey is that finding one jar of natural honey that works well may not work at all on the second jar from the same bees. This is because honey is harvested at different seasons, and bees are constantly seeking nectar from various flowers to make the honey. Try several types and brands. Store bought honey can be a mix of honey from different providers and hives. Try buying honey from a local beekeeper. If one works, buy enough to last for a while. Honey can be stored indefinitely for everything from cooking or to be used as one of the heartburn home remedies.

Baking Soda

That little box of baking soda has lots of uses. Today we use it in baking and to freshen the fridge. It has been used to make everything from a scrubbing paste to toothpaste and even used as one of the very effective heartburn home remedies. The soda is alkaline and absorbs stomach acid. It should not be used for chronic heartburn.

Vinegar

Good old apple cider vinegar seems to follow the homeopathic route of “like treating like.” That is, vinegar is acidic and will help control heartburn, keeping it on the list of popular heartburn home remedies. It is speculated that vinegar kills bacteria that aggravates heartburn. It also may indicate to the body that enough acid is present and to stop pumping out stomach acid.

There are other heartburn home remedies, but the top one of all is to eat less and eat better food choices. Unfortunately, it is the toughest one to do on a daily basis. When heartburn strikes, maybe one of these home remedies will work to ease the burn for you.